I bought a recent CNC multi drill from Masterwood Project TF with a single router head + Saw for grooving. The only issue was that it fed the carcase by bottom fed clamps the other option or maker stood vertical and the heads moved around it. I could only find two machines with Routers fitted to my liking or supply times. Our procurement (finance) went with the Masterwood and in Scotland the supplier Andy from Pelotec was very knowledgeable and is always available. I take it you will be going through JJ Smith. I for my part still think the other option was more versatile though dearer, but the the machine works and the software was real easy to learn. It is the same software that is used on their entire CNC range. Andy writes software for his customers as well if you ever needed this.
I needed to free my CNC Routers as they were taking up valued time on panel manufacture and my solid profiling was being squeezed in production batches, I needed something simple to do what I needed both quickly and accurately. So decided on the option above, one of the cabinets Corian we make has a rebated housing for a shelf, the designers thought it was cool, so we needed router ability but not full CNC Router space or versatility. I also wanted to develop a office range of furniture in the future.
The reason I said SCM to you was I was offered a basic 8x4 for £50k and Homag were doing the same, could be negotiable. I did not have space for another machine and fitted the new machine in my Assembly area where their was amps, air and extraction already in place. SCM Routers have bump stops fitted though I have used pressure mats and cages also fixed motorised tables and enclosures (good for panel volume production as their tables work independently or jointly) like on my Griggio. SCM bought out CMS who were specialist router makers and I see they have bought out my maker for my SET, Balestrini Pico. It all depends on what your doing, I did not like the laser idea at first for fixing pods and clamps in place as you need to watch where the machine is positioned due to sunlight. Though I have seen better recent examples fitted now and ones I am pricing now have this option.
Quality tooling though and jig design is the key. You are only restricted by your planning and out thinking the problem. It also pays to think in carrying out the nesting of the layout, though it can slow the process. I believed with a good Beam Saw and the Project TF was the way to go for fast and efficient panel production. For shaping solid timber the big router was the way, it all depends on volume to pay for it self and make the investment worthwhile. Though I would be happy with a CNC Spindle Martin and sliding table to do lower volume but equally good quality Doors. Just like the Pico above mentioned earlier this is a really good machine and is very good quality of finish and versatile in configuration from square tenon, rounded tenon and doweling. Easy to CNC draw what your making on machine fitted screen, only drawback it is restricted in tenon length to 50mm maybe slightly longer if you remove aris cutter that dresses the tenon bottom edge. The accuracy of this finish is something else, it is the only time in my career that I actually reduced the tenon thickness to get glue in as I always went for a snug fit, this was so snug when you try to pull out the tenon it pops with the air vacuum. I do a lot of Garden benches and need lots of tenons components that are accurate, fast to produce and good finish.
